Foreword
The History of Study Abroad Scholarships in the Kingdom
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Bin
Abdulaziz Scholarship Program for Study Abroad
Program Mission
Program Goals
Program for Joining the Scholarship Students
Supervision of Scholarship Students
Examples of the Achievements of Study Abroad Scholarship
Students
21
25
12
12
17
11
7
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Enabling students to study abroad is one of the most important means of developing education and raising its standard in most countries in the world. This process is of tremendous value to the students, for it gives them the opportunity to study in international universities of experience and excellence in the realm of higher education. In this way, they will be equipped with the most up-to-date knowledge, science and field experience which will assist them after their return to their homeland and contribute themselves to its progress in the areas of specialization which the labor market demands.
The government of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques
King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz has sought to support study abroad scholarships in order to make use of the skills of the graduates in the comprehensive development which the
Kingdom is witnessing. To achieve this, young Saudi men and women are being qualified in the finest and most experienced universities around the world, in all the fields needed by the nation in its present and future development.
During the past few years, the arena of study abroad scholarships in the Kingdom has witnessed a tremendous quantitative and qualitative leap as a result of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz Scholarship
Program for Study Abroad, which embodies the aspirations of our nation’s leader for the development and prosperity of our homeland, to enable it to proceed on its civilizational course and rise to the lofty station which is its due.
Study abroad scholarships began to be offered in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in AH 1346/1927 when the late King Abdulaziz directed that students be sent to study abroad at the state’s expense. Thus, the history of study abroad scholarships predates the announcement of the foundation of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and this affords a clear indication of King
Abdulaziz’s attention to education and his deep conviction in the importance of study abroad scholarships in building a strong country through the efforts of citizens who have been educated in the finest regional and international universities. including food, clothing, medical care and personal expenses.
In return, all that was required of them was that they give their full attention to furthering their education. In effect, these were the first Saudi Arabian Cultural Missions to be founded outside the Kingdom.
After the foundation of the Ministry of Higher Education in AH
1395/1975, the task of supervising study abroad scholarship students was delegated to it, as well as the responsibility for the implementation of the Kingdom’s policy regarding foreign study for Saudi students. The Ministry in turn set up a Deputy
Ministry for Scholarship Affairs so as to provide this important element in the Kingdom’s development the attention it requires.
In accordance with the directives of the King, the Consultative
Council decreed that fourteen students be sent to Egypt to complete their university education in Sharia justice, technical education, agriculture, medicine and education. This marked the true beginning of study abroad scholarships in the
Kingdom.
Then, in AH 1355/1936, King Abdulaziz decreed the establishment of a school to prepare students to study abroad, and this became the first secondary school to be established along modern lines, and was designed to prepare students to join university colleges in the fields of engineering, medicine, arts and education. In the same year, another group of Saudi students - ten in number - were sent to study Sharia, the
Arabic sciences and education in Egypt. In AH 1361/1942, a third group of students was dispatched, followed by a fourth in the year after that. As the revenues of the State increased, so did the numbers of students being sent abroad to further their education. Moreover, students were also sent to other destinations, including the United States and Europe, as well as several Arab countries.
When Saudi students first began to be sent to study in Egypt, the Saudi government established offices in both Cairo and
Alexandria to care of their needs. Not only did they reside in these facilities, but all their needs were provided for them,
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The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah
Bin Abdulaziz realized the importance of foreign study scholarships in training young Saudi men and women by affording them the opportunity to study in the foremost institutions of higher education around the world, in order to obtain a wide variety of experience in fields important to the nation, so that, upon their return to the Kingdom, they would be equipped to play their part in its progress and development.
Furthermore, the King understood the role played by foreign study scholarships in the sustainable development of human resources, and so, he ordered the expansion of the foreign study scholarships program in order to develop it into an important avenue of support for Saudi universities as well as the public and private sectors. In AH 1426/2005, a royal decree was issued Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King
Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz Scholarship Program for Study Abroad.
In AH 1431/2010, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King
Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz, Chairman of the Council of Ministers, agreed to extend the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King
Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz Scholarship Program for Study Abroad for another five years, beginning with the financial year AH
1431/1432 (2009/2010), after the completion of the first stage of the program which began in AH 1426/2005.
Mission of the Program foster the growth, development and qualification of Saudi
Arabian human resources in an active manner in order that they might become internationally competitive in the labor market and in the realm of scientific research, as well as an important source of support for Saudi Arabian universities as well as the public and private sectors, by providing them with highly qualified individuals.
Goals of the Program
1.Raise the level of professionalism among the Saudi workforce
2.Build a qualified Saudi workforce
3.Exchange scientific, educational and cultural expertise with countries around the world
4.Create a high level of academic and professional standards through the study abroad program
5.Send Saudi students to further their education in the finest universities across the globe
6.Stimulate cultural, social and scientific interchange between the Kingdom and foreign countries through the medium of the Kingdom’s cultural ambassadors - the students it sends abroad to study
7.Strengthen the political, cultural and social ties between the Kingdom and the countries in which its scholarship students study
Academic Levels Included in the Program
The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Bin
Abdulaziz Scholarship Program for Study Abroad dispatches young Saudi men and women to further their education in the finest overseas universities at the following educational levels:
1. Bachelors
2. Masters
3. PhD
4. Medical fellowship
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Students studying abroad at the master’s degree level
The program provides opportunities to study abroad in the following areas of specialization which are needed by governmental and non-governmental sectors:
1. Medicine, dentistry and the medical fellowship
2. Pharmacy
3.Nursing
4. Medical sciences: radiology, medical laboratories, medical technology and physical therapy
5. Health sciences: nutrition and medical records
6. Engineering: civil, architectural, electrical, mechanical, industrial, chemical, environmental, communications, and heavy machinery
7. Computers: computer engineering, computer science, networks, etc.
8. Pure sciences: mathematics, physics, chemistry and biology
9. Other areas: law accounting, e-commerce, finance, insurance and marketing
Countries in Which Scholarship Students Study
27 Muharram AH 1432
2 January 2011
AH 1431
2009-2010
AH 1430
2008-2009
AH 1429
2008
AH 1428
2007-2008
AH 1427
The program began by sending students to study in the United
States of America, and afterwards expanded to comprise all developed nations, including Europe, Japan, the People’s
AH 1426
2005-2006
AH 1425
2004-2005
0
5,000
25,000
20,000
15,000
10,000 and others.
Numbers of Students Benefiting from the Program
More than 70,000 young Saudi men and women have benefited from this program.
120,000
100,000
Mode of Operation of the Program
1. Registration
Registration in the program is carried out by completion of the necessary forms available on the Ministry of Higher Education’s website.
27 Muharram AH 1432
2 January 2011
AH 1431
2009-2010
AH 1430
2008-2009
AH 1429
2008
AH 1428
2007-2008
AH 1427
2006-2007
AH 1426
2005-2006
AH 1425
2004-2005
60,000
40,000
20,000
0
2. Acceptance Students studying abroad at the master’s degree level
After registration is complete, the applicants’ documents are
25,000 electronic identification of applicants who fulfill the necessary conditions, and subsequent announcement of the names of the recipients.
20,000
6,000
15,000
5,000
Numbers of students studying abroad according to academic level AH 1425-1431/2005-2010
Academic level
Bachelors
Masters
PhD
Fellowship
Other levels*
Total
AH
1425/2004-
2005
AH
1426/2005-
2006
AH
1427/2006-
2007
AH
1428/2007-
2008
AH 1429/2008
AH
1430/2008-
2009
AH
1431/2009-
2010
9,241
2,272
1,350
647
2,218
12,589
4,297
1,643
662
6,250
20,967
7,850
2,297
854
8,051
23,685
10,803
1,996
1,021
5,301
26,674
11,500
2,905
1,230
16,401
36,951
16,347
3,804
1,400
20,324
47,397
22,370
5,026
1,835
29,467
27
Muharram
AH 1432/2
January
2011
46,438
21,127
4,985
1,856
32,659
15,728 25,441 40,019 42,806 58,710 78,826 106,095 107,065
27 Muharram AH 1432
2 January 2011
AH 1431
2009-2010
AH 1430
2008-2009
AH 1429
2008
AH 1428
2007-2008
AH 1427
2006-2007
AH 1426
2005-2006
AH 1425
2004-2005 1,000
27 Muharram AH 1432
2 January 2011
AH 1431
2009-2010
AH 1430
2008-2009
AH 1429
2008
AH 1428
2007-2008
AH 1427
2006-2007
AH 1426
2005-2006
AH 1425
2004-2005
0
Students studying abroad at all levels
120,000
100,000
60,000
40,000
*Particular specialization, special education, diploma, higher diploma, intermediate diploma, training course, training for one year, language, preparatory year, companion studying language
27 Muharram AH 1432
2 January 2011
AH 1431
2009-2010
AH 1430
2008-2009
AH 1429
2008
AH 1428
2007-2008
AH 1427
2006-2007
AH 1426
2005-2006
AH 1425
2004-2005
0
20,000
Students studying abroad at the PhD level
6,000
5,000
4,000
3,000
2,000
27 Muharram AH 1432
2 January 2011
AH 1431
2009-2010
AH 1430
2008-2009
AH 1429
2008
AH 1428
2007-2008
AH 1427
2006-2007
AH 1426
2005-2006
AH 1425
2004-2005
1,000
0
Students studying abroad at the master’s degree level
Students studying abroad at the bachelor’s degree level
25,000
50,000
45,000
27 Muharram AH 1432
2 January 2011
AH 1431
2009-2010
AH 1430
2008-2009
27 Muharram AH 1432
2 January 2011
AH 1431
2009-2010
AH 1430
2008-2009
AH 1429
2008
AH 1429
2008
AH 1428
2007-2008
AH 1427
2006-2007
AH 1426
2005-2006
AH 1425
2004-2005
AH 1428
2007-2008
AH 1427
2006-2007
AH 1426
2005-2006
AH 1425
2004-2005
35,000
30,000
25,000
20,000
15,000
10,000
5,000
0
Students studying abroad at all levels
Students studying the medical fellowship abroad
27 Muharram AH 1432 AH 1431 AH 1430 AH 1429 AH 1428 AH 1427 AH 1426 AH 1425
2 January 2011
27 Muharram AH 1432
2 January 2011
2009-2010
AH 1431
2009-2010
2008-2009
AH 1430
2008-2009
2008
AH 1429
2008
2007-2008
AH 1428
2007-2008
2006-2007
AH 1427
2006-2007
2005-2006
AH 1426
2004-2005
AH 1425
2005-2006 2004-2005
0
Students studying abroad at the bachelor’s degree level
27 Muharram AH 1432
2 January 2011
27 Muharram AH 1432
2 January 2011
2 January 2011
AH 1431
2009-2010
AH 1430
2008-2009
AH 1431
2009-2010
2009-2010
AH 1430
2008-2009
2008-2009
AH 1429
2008
AH 1429
2008
2008
AH 1428
2007-2008
AH 1427
2006-2007
AH 1426
2005-2006
AH 1425
2004-2005
AH 1428
2007-2008
2007-2008
AH 1427
2006-2007
2006-2007
AH 1426
2005-2006
AH 1425
2004-2005
2005-2006 2004-2005
50,000
45,000
40,000
35,000
30,000
4,000
20,000
15,000
10,000
5,000
0
Students studying the medical fellowship abroad
Students studying abroad at the PhD level
2,000
1,800
27 Muharram AH 1432
2 January 2011
AH 1431
2009-2010
AH 1430
2008-2009
AH 1429
2008
AH 1428
2007-2008
AH 1427
2006-2007
AH 1426
2005-2006
AH 1425
2004-2005
27 Muharram AH 1432
2 January 2011
AH 1431
2009-2010
AH 1430
2008-2009
AH 1429
2008
AH 1428
2007-2008
AH 1427
2006-2007
AH 1426
2005-2006
AH 1425
2004-2005
0
800
3,000
400
200
Students studying abroad at the master’s degree level
25,000
20,000
15,000
27 Muharram AH 1432
2 January 2011
AH 1431
2009-2010
AH 1430
2008-2009
AH 1429
2008
AH 1428
2007-2008
AH 1427
2006-2007
AH 1426
2005-2006
AH 1425
2004-2005
0
10,000
5,000
Students studying abroad at the bachelor’s degree level
Students studying abroad at all levels
50,000
120,000
40,000
100,000
30,000
60,000
20,000
40,000
10,000
5,000
20,000
27 Muharram AH 1432 AH 1431 AH 1430 AH 1429
2 January 2011 2009-2010
2 January 2011
2008-2009
2009-2010
2008
2008-2009
AH 1428 AH 1427 AH 1426 AH 1425
0
AH 1429
2008
2006-2007
2007-2008
2005-2006
2006-2007
2004-2005
2005-2006 2004-2005
0
Students studying the medical fellowship abroad
3. Forum for Study Abroad Scholarship Students
The Ministry of Higher Education organizes an annual forum
1,800 6,000 provide them with the information and skills they will require
1,200
1,000
4,000 they are sent. This is accomplished by means of an orientation on study abroad scholarships in general, including the rights and responsibilities of the students studying abroad. This is followed by an orientation regarding the country in which the
27 Muharram AH 1432
2 January 2011
AH 1431
2009-2010
AH 1430
2008-2009
AH 1429
2008
AH 1428
2007-2008
AH 1427
2006-2007
AH 1426 AH 1425
5,000 candidate will study, with particular attention being paid to its laws and statutes, social norms, educational system, in addition to information regarding housing and medical care. In order to prepare candidates in the best possible manner, they are also given psychological and social preparation, and basic self-improvement skills. The forum programs are prepared embassies in the destination countries, as well as prominent individuals in Saudi society. At the end of the forum, the
1,400
Ministry distributes academic acceptances certification to the destination countries.
400
200
27 Muharram AH 1432
2 January 2011
AH 1431
2009-2010
AH 1430
2008-2009
AH 1429
2008
AH 1428
2007-2008
AH 1427
2006-2007
AH 1426
2005-2006
AH 1425
2004-2005
0
4. Steps Required to Issue an Official Scholarship Decree
Once the student has obtained acceptance from his chosen university, and the student visa from the country in which it is located, he will be issued an official decree regarding his scholarship in addition to air tickets to his destination.
Students studying abroad at the bachelor’s degree level
27 Muharram AH 1432
2 January 2011
AH 1431
2009-2010
AH 1430
2008-2009
AH 1429
2008
AH 1428
2007-2008
AH 1427
2006-2007
AH 1426
2005-2006
AH 1425
2004-2005
50,000
45,000
40,000
35,000
30,000
25,000
20,000
15,000
10,000
5,000
0
Students studying the medical fellowship abroad
27 Muharram AH 1432
2 January 2011
AH 1431
2009-2010
AH 1430
2008-2009
AH 1429 AH 1428
2008
15
2007-2008
AH 1427
2006-2007
AH 1426
2005-2006
AH 1425
2004-2005
600
400
200
0
2,000
1,800
1,600
1,400
1,200
1,000
800
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The Ministry of Higher Education has updated the statutes regulating joining study abroad scholarship students so as to serve the needs of Saudis studying abroad at their own expense, and who desire to join the scholarship program to benefit from the facilities offered to their colleagues who are studying at government expense. The revised program is aimed particularly at individuals who have accompanied their wives or sisters who are scholarship awardees, and who also desire to further their own education in the countries in which they reside. Also eligible to participate are wives and children of Saudi employees of the Kingdom’s diplomatic and cultural missions abroad.
The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Bin
Abdulaziz Scholarship Program for Study Abroad Students undertakes to include students studying abroad at their own expense in the program, so that they may enjoy all the benefits which the state grants to scholarship students studying abroad, while the Ministry bears no employment obligation regarding their fields of specialization. A student studying abroad at this own expense may apply to join the scholarship program by contacting the Saudi Arabian cultural mission in the country in which he is studying and completing the necessary forms.
This program is an important adjunct to the Custodian of the
Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz Scholarship
Program for Study Abroad as well as a support for it in those fields of specialization, which may not be included in the list of required fields.
The program for joining the scholarship students includes all those studying at their own expense in the United States,
Canada, Australia and New Zealand and who arrived there before 5/6/AH 1431 (19/5/2010), in addition to students studying at their won expense who have completed their language study and begun their academic study in Britain prior to 7/12/AH 1431 (13/11/2010). The Custodian of the
Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz directed that all these categories of students be admitted to the scholarship program.
On 20/3AH 1432 (23/2/2011), the Custodian of the Two Holy
Mosques directed that all students studying aboard at their own expense be admitted to the scholarship program; this is in addition to the 107,000 students already studying under the program.
Addition of the Wife of a Scholarship Student or the
Companion of a Female Scholarship Student
The wife of a scholarship recipient is able to study English or any other language at the Ministry’s expense. Saudi cultural attaches have the authority to disburse expenses without referring to the Ministry in such cases and without the issuance of a scholarship decree. After successfully completing language study and obtaining acceptance from an accredited university, the student may apply to be added to the scholarship students.
Facilities Granted to Students Studying at Their Own
Expense
Students who study abroad at their won expense enjoy the following benefits:
1. Direct supervision by the Embassy of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques as well as the Saudi Cultural
Mission, thereby assuring that students studying abroad at their own expense benefit from the educational and social follow up and advice they provide, while also maintaining an open channel of communication with the Kingdom, and working to avoid any negative social or intellectual influences which may affect them.
2. Round trip air tickets to the Kingdom every two years up to a maximum of three times, to enable the student to spend his academic breaks in the Kingdom.
3. Distinction bonuses, if the relevant conditions are fulfilled
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Supervision of study abroad scholarship recipients is an important factor in monitoring their educational progress and resolving any difficulties that may arise. This is accomplished in cooperation with a highly qualified scientific committee composed of individuals with a high degree of practical and professional competence and qualification, which is charged with monitoring a student’s academic progress, extension of the duration of the scholarship, postponement of study, change of university or field of specialization, change of country of study, financial guarantees, attendance at academic conferences, travel for purposes related to the student’s studies, and renewal of the duration of the scholarship decree. There is a department in the Deputy Ministry for Scholarship Affairs dedicated to assisting callers and visitors in a manner which enables them to complete their business easily and expeditiously.
Benefits Enjoyed by Scholarship Recipients and Those
Who Accompany Them
1. A scholarship recipient and those who accompany him receive a monthly stipend which guarantees that the student will devote his full attention to his academic life and enjoy a decent life in the country in which he lives.
Stipends take into consideration the number of persons who accompany the student and the lifestyle of the country in which he is studying.
2. Medical care: students and those who accompany them receive comprehensive medical insurance which is purchased for them by the cultural mission in the country where they reside.
3. Air tickets: students and those who accompany them receive air travel tickets to the Kingdom and back on an annual basis. Tickets are also supplied in the case of emergency travel.
The Relationship of Scholarship Students with Saudi
Cultural Missions
Saudi cultural missions throughout the world play an important role in the monitoring and supervision of scholarship students, including but not limited to the following:
1. Academic supervision of scholarship students and follow up of their academic progress according to reports provided by the relevant educational institutions and coordination with the Ministry if any difficulties should arise with regard to a student’s progress.
2. Disbursement of stipends to scholarship students, and their reimbursement for any fees they may have paid, such as those for emergency medical treatment.
3. Organization of meetings for scholarship students to bolster the social and cultural bonds between them in a manner which assists them in the realization of their goals.
4. Obtain admissions for students, and facilitate admissions procedures.
Maintaining Contact with Scholarship Students
The Kingdom’s leaders and representatives abroad are deeply concerned with the welfare of Saudi scholarship students, each according to his own sphere of responsibility. Thus, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah
Bin Abdulaziz and the Crown Prince HRH Prince Sultan Bin
Abdulaziz are keen to meet with scholarship recipients and become acquainted with their hopes and aspirations in the countries in which they study.
On the ambassadorial level, the ambassadors of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques personally monitor the progress and circumstances of scholarship students studying abroad. The same is also true of top-ranking officials in the Kingdom, such as the President of the Majlis Ash-Shura and others.
Scholarship students also figure among the most important concerns of the Minister of Higher Education, Dr. Khalid M.
Al Anqari, who makes an effort to meet with them during all his travels abroad. In the same way, the deputy ministers of higher education are also concerned with their progress. The
Minister has dispatched official delegations to assess the needs of scholarship students and resolve any concerns or difficulties they may have. At the same time, these delegations assess the academic standard of the universities in which the Saudi scholarship students study, to determine whether they maintain high standards.
From another angle, the Ministry believes in the importance of keeping in touch with scholarship students through the different means of modern communications, such as email, the telephone and the postal service. Indeed, a special email address has been dedicated to scholarship students to enable them to contact the Deputy Ministry for Scholarships, and telephone operators have also been assigned to answ
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Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Ministry of Higher Education
Riyadh
Takhasosi Road
T +966 1 441 5555
F +966 1 441 9004 www.mohe.gov.sa
With Compliments of Public Relations
& Media Department media@mohe.gov.sa